One of our favourite TV shows starts filming again at the end of the month; it is of course The Great British Sewing Bee! There has been a shock announcement about the new series, however; we are now being told that May Martin will not be returning to our screens.
Although no word has yet been given on the reasons for May Martin’s departure from the show, we have been reassured that Patrick Grant will remain as a judge and it will still be presented by Claudia Winkleman. All of them team members here at Croft Mill will be sad to see May go, in fact we can’t imagine the show without her.
So who be the new judge of The Great British Sewing Bee we hear you ask? Because surely they cannot be leaving Patrick on his own…. Though we wouldn’t mind being the ones to keep him company.
Well from what we know, the new judge is Esme Young, a graduate of the highly acclaimed Central Saint Martins. In 1972 she and a few other graduates founded Swanky Modes; originally a small shop selling their own designs made from vintage fabrics. The pieces were often ‘one offs’ or made to order, as demand for their designs grew in 1978 they joined the ‘London Individual Clothes Show’ and showed there seasonally.
Since her days at Swanky Modes, she has also worked as a costume designer for major film titles including ‘Trainspotting’ and the yet-to-be-released ‘Bridget Jones’ Baby’ so you may see some of her creations on the big screen soon.
Although we love May Martin, Esme does seem to have lots of skills relevant to The Great British Sewing Bee… from sewing and designing clothes to working under pressure and to tight deadlines. There has yet been no word of when this series will be on our screens but we are keen to meet Esme Young and see the talent on display this year.
What are your thoughts on May’s departure?
24 Comments
Thimberlina
10/02/2016 at 9:01 PMThanks for the news!!! The next judge sounds exciting, only trouble is I’m now wishing my life away for the next series to start. ✂️?✂️
joan
13/02/2016 at 10:13 AMI am sad about this news- May always seemed to provide the ballast for the show. ..May was brilliant at explaining the technical issues and gave the show a shot of realism. Ordinay sewers could relate to and learn from her critiques. I am sad she has been ousted. I was always surprised and pleased that they hadn’t gone for style over substance in the first place. Am I now going to find this the case?
Rebecca
09/03/2016 at 2:01 PMYes we were sad to see her go, like you said she her knowledge was very useful to us home sewers.
carol
13/02/2016 at 10:48 AMI do hope age had nothing to do with it….. I know what TV is like with their “yoof” appeal.
Rebecca
09/03/2016 at 2:04 PMUs too! Surely experience in sewing is more important than age? At least I hope so…
sheilaspiritualistmedium
17/03/2016 at 5:44 PMYes is it age or a graduate experience? Qualifications? I started sewing 15 yrs old the proper way on a factory line making childrenswear, it gave me the best sewing tech pniques, and when at 46yrs old when factories shut I went into college then a degree to find I had to show tutors how to use an industrial machine, and other students I helped. But one thing I learnt tailoring from a man that got taught in the factories from his father , I rest my case xxx
Alyson Urbanowska
13/02/2016 at 11:22 AMWon’t be the same without May Martin but everything has to change eventually. The new judge sounds very interesting so I’m sure it will be just as good. I wish May Martin all the best in whatever she does next.
From a Sewing Bee addict.
Janet O'Mahoney
13/02/2016 at 7:07 PMSad to hear May is leaving. A lady of maturity, a find it hard to think May could be replaced with someone much younger.
Michele
14/02/2016 at 8:05 AMVery sad to hear May will not be part of the Sewing Bee this year, I truly hope she is ok and wish her well. Looking forward to the new series with great excitement!!
Patricia
17/03/2016 at 5:22 PMEsme can’t be that young if she graduated around 1972! She must have heaps of experience and should bring an added dimension to this great show. Can’t wait.
Bron
17/03/2016 at 5:55 PMJust thinking that if she graduated in 1972 she won’t be a young thing?
Mooloo
17/03/2016 at 6:03 PMI presume May could have chosen to leave rather then being ousted. She has a very busy schedule afterall.
Funnily enough I have one dress from the early 80’s that is a Swanky Modes. It is my favourite dress for Summer holidays.
Although I did find a small fault with its design, so I will reserve judgment on the new judge.
Marg Burton
17/03/2016 at 7:34 PMVery sad to hear that May is leaving. I hope it is not yet another case of getting rid of the more mature lady. I loved her down to earth advice and her ability to keep it real. I do hope it does not get all arty and weird designs no one will ever wear. Marg.
maria
18/03/2016 at 3:30 AMYet again its an age issue, following from news readers to strictly.
Jean Nathan
27/03/2016 at 10:03 AMIf you google Esme Young, yu’ll find she isnlt a young thing. If anything she looks older than May.
Nora
09/05/2016 at 6:47 AMSad to hear about May leaving, will be waiting for the new one to win me over, hard act to follow though!
Judi
16/05/2016 at 9:09 PMErm…not that impressed.
Shiona
16/05/2016 at 10:09 PMJust watched GBSB 2016 and very sad not to see May Martin. I loved the way she always encouraged the contestants rather than knocking them down. Also, the way she and Patrick worked in partnership together: a good team. Whatever you are up to now May, thank you for your input in previous years. I miss you!
The Great British Sewing Bee 2016: The First Episode - Get Craftii with the Croft Mill Fabrics Blog
17/05/2016 at 11:15 AM[…] Last night we saw the first episode of The Great British Sewing Bee, Series 4. All of the team members here at Croft Mill were eagerly awaiting our first look at the new judge Esme Young, who has replaced May Martin. (You can read about Esme Young in our other blog post here.) […]
Jan
28/05/2016 at 6:45 AMI seriously miss May Martin. Esme is a gimmick. Why do they have to spoil a great show?
Rebecca
31/05/2016 at 2:14 PMWe miss May too! It is such a shame she left.
Marianna Dominguez
09/06/2016 at 10:42 AMEsme is not a patch on May – bring her back.
Jan
13/06/2016 at 7:32 PMAfter several episodes, I still can’t warm to Esme. I am a ordinary sewer like the viewing audience, not some college Art and Textiles student. May Martin suited the audience profile perfectly but now it is not such a draw. It is like the GBBO without Mary Berry.
Ash
16/02/2017 at 7:17 AMThanks For Sharing!